It's Reminder Time!

It's that time of year when I like to remind you about certain programs and activities that could be important to you. Let's start by reminding you about our PLACEMAT program that has been so successful for the past six years. The, as I refer to them, dinner-table placemats have the crossed flags of Canada and the United States which represent the friendship between our two countries. They also contain the words to O Canada and The Star Spangled Banner in print large enough to read while standing. The dates and locations of the various Snowbird Extravaganzas and CSA Celebrations are also listed. Last year the CSA, Medipac and AT&T provided more than 100,000 of these placemats FREE to members for use at their many social events. Here's how you can order them; simply call me at my home-office in Auburndale, Florida toll-free at 1-877-633-4722. If I don't answer personally, listen to the instructions, provide the information requested and the placemats will be mailed to you. If you live in the Polk County area of Central Florida, we prefer that you pick them up at my home, just let me know when that may be convenient for you.

On the opposite page there is a Canada Club and Special Events list that provides information about Canadian activities throughout the southern U.S. You can refer to this list, select the event that interests you and for more information, especially the dates, call the person listed. The list was updated last summer and should be fairly accurate. If you have a problem contacting someone, please call me and I'll see if I can be of further help.

Since I know just how busy you are enjoying yourselves in the sunny south and how much you like to be informed, here are a few other reminders that I hope you'll find helpful. I'll start with an important one ­ winter begins on December 22. Martin Luther King Day is January 20. The U.S. celebrates the Anniversary of the Constitution on February 5. Lincoln's birthday is February 12. Valentine's Day is February 14. Canada's Heritage Day is February 15. Presidents' Day is February 17. Washington's Birthday is February 22. U.S. Flag Day is February 24. Ash Wednesday is March 5. St. Patrick's Day is March 17. Spring begins on March 21. Daylight Savings Time begins on April 6. Passover begins on April 16. Good Friday is April 18 and Easter Sunday is April 20.

The Snowbird Extravaganza at Lakeland, Florida is on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 14 & 15. The Canadian Snowbird Celebration at Mesa, Arizona is on Thursday, January 30 and the Winter Texans' Snowbird Extravaganza at South Padre Island, Texas is on Monday and Tuesday, February 10 & 11. The CSA Information and Entertainment Days are: Monday, January 27 at Yuma, Arizona; Tuesday, February 4 at Indian Wells, California; Sunday, February 16 at Panama City Beach, Florida; Wednesday, February 19 at Bradenton, Florida; Thursday, February 20 at Fort Myers, Florida; and Saturday, February 22 at Titusville, Florida. More information about these events can be found on page 38 of this issue.

Oh yes, don't forget that April 30 is a favourite day of yours ­ the tax deadline in Canada! Don't feel too bad, it's April 15 in the U.S. Make sure that you pay on time since, as you probably know, the prime minister is retiring and the treasury needs the money for his pension.

I bet you think that I forgot two important dates, December 25 and January 1.
I wanted to save the best for the last, so...Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year!